Stars & Stripes Ski Nautique ???

Art C.: thanks for responding. It sounds like the bottom line of your response is that there isn’t any information in the CC Florida files about the details of the boat and you don’t have any personal knowledge of it either. The shipping invoice that does exist, matches the boat and timeline so I guess that confirmation is good. It’s too bad more detail information isn’t there as I was hoping for that.

If additional detailing was done at Correct Craft West, would records exist of that?

For those with interest in this story, please read on as the lead I’ve been following did turn up additional information.

So in the log book records, the entry right under the one about adding color to windshield frame, was an entry about getting the name and stripes refurbished. This entry includes the name Jerry Heinrich and a phone number. I’m thinking the odds of me being able to reach the painter are about a million to one but nevertheless, I give it a try.

Lo and behold, Jerry H. answers the phone. When I asked if he remembered doing some paint work on a boat in 1978, his response was that he was painting several hundred boats a year back then. When I included that it was a Ski Nautique with stars and stripes on it, he responded that of course he remembered the boat because it was so unique. I asked if the stars and stripes were already on the boat, he said, absolutely, all he did was touchup work where paint was faded or chipped. I asked about the flames and he said that those were already on the boat and not his work.

As a next step, I decided it would be good to have those people who possessed the boat back in the 1970’s verify first hand that it looks the same now as then. I made arrangements to meet with Jerry H. and he was also able to have Art and Angie Rodrigues be there as well. Jerry H. was also an active member of the Santa Clara Ski club back then.

All three people inspected the boat closely. Bottom line, the paint work on the boat today still matches what it did when it was delivered from the CC dealer. The stars and stripes Ski Nautique is what was there when Art and Angie took possession of the boat as first owners.

Jerry H. confirm that he only did touchup work to the horizontal stripes and Ski Nautique name. Jerry H. identified that he there was some paint work that was his and it is the CA id up on the bow. The font/style on these characters is a style he still uses today and in fact matches the style on his personal boat.

Of course I had to capture the moment, so here’s a picture of these folks with the boat today.



Art on left, Angie middle, and Jerry H. on right

While inspecting the boat, Angie recalled some additional information that may open some new angles for us. Her recollection is that the CC boat dealer was named Ralph Maloon and she thought the dealership was located in Sacramento, CA when they purchased the boat. In addition to the story about there being two boats with stars and stripes treatment, she remembers being told that they had also applied this same stars and stripes Ski Nautique scheme to a sign board and it was hung in a CC facility somewhere. Given the Art C. feedback, I’m guessing it wasn’t hung in a Florida building but more likely CC West (wherever that was) or a dealership building.

So, I’ll broaden the request for sightings, has anyone seen the east coast stars and stripes Ski Nautique boat or does anyone recall seeing a stars and stripes sign hanging in a CC facility? What are the odds that this sign may still exist and be hanging in some ones garage somewhere? Wouldn’t that be something?

Yes they do, an American would have made them symmetrical.

GrayBeardSkier wrote: You guys can really pick out the small details.

Some guys are really good at handling small things (quinner, Spurling)

GrayBeardSkier wrote: I pulled the log

Some guys are really good at pulling logs (quinner, Spurling)

Does Original owner Art have more snaps from the photo album?...post em up

Yeah, that was the one point when the owner mentioned part of it was vinyl. I knew that couldn't have been done in '75. Nobody had a vinyl cutter in '75. Who had a computer in '75?

nice...looking forward to it Art

Who has the tall stack of waterskier magazine? Or whichever.

i think CC made this boat for the upcoming bicentennial in '76.   

Still waiiting on Art, too see .

Much of the "bling" work done to the Paragon happened at Midwest Correct Craft

I was thinking more along the lines of an East coast pick-up or delivery.   Probably a very slim chance of consecutive serials anyway.


But, here's what I was saying about the Airguides.
The Black-faced was not even available in 1975 or 1976.

Hey Dave,   What about CTCO 5223 M75G SN or
CTCO 5225 M75G SN ?

peter1234 wrote: that red steering wheel is awesome .

With all the red accents, I like it too, The original owner claims it was on the boat when he bought it new in 73.



man, I'm glad that tower is gone!


.

If not original, we may need a new definition such as "historically" correct. For me it has more interest and value with the stars,stripes,and early documentation of the story than it would with out. I am sure those in the ski club that rode in and behind would say the same. I felt the same way about the red boat that had snoopy on its side for most its life.

Fun stuff. I am pulling for the boat being original (except the platform and windshield as stated). Even better if the lost 2nd boat is found.